Metal awning construction



June 26, 1956 s. A. MILLER ETAL METAL AWNING CONSTRUCTION 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Oct. 10, 1952 June 26, 1956 s. A. MILLER ETAL METAL AWNING CONSTRUCTION 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 10, 1952 Jun 26. 1956 s. A. MILLER ETAL 2,751,640

METAL AWNING CONSTRUCTION Filed Oct. 10, 1952 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 3c? 44 42 i 526 f5? 1 iwewe 07/;1 ddig a.

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METAL AWNING CONSTRUCTION Filed Oct. 10, 1952 Sheets-Sheet 4 W @772)? egg June 26, 1956 s. A. MILLER EI'AL METAL AWNING CONSTRUCTION 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Oct. 10, 1952 able, notwithstanding IeXpense.

METAL AWNING CONSTRUCTION Sidney A. Miller and Edward W. Gorkowski, Chicago,

111., assignors of one-third to Philip Miler, Chicago, iii

Application October 10, 1952, Serial No. 314,034

3 Claims. (Cl. 20-57.5)

ice I 2 cellent protection from the elements, thereby permitting said awning construction rapidly to be installed or removed in case repairs or maintenance thereof is required.

Another important object of the invention is to provide a metal awning construction fabricated of a plurality of panels having edge flanges adapted matingly to be engaged in a sliding movement interlocking the flanges; and in which means are provided adapted to cooperate with said panels for retaining the awning in assembly 7 with the flanges interlocked.

In recent years awnings of rigid construction have become popular and in great demand. Such awnings have been formed of light metals, principally aluminum, and have many advantages over the conventional canvas type. They are more permanent and can withstand the elements more easily. They are rigid and neat, easy to maintain and paint, and greatly enhance the appearance of the structure to which applied. 7

The awnings of the rigid type heretofore produced have been formed form sheets of corrugated metal, from panels, and from slats assembled to the desired configuration and size. All have had certain great disadvantages in common which have greatly limited the extent of use of such awnings, although the demand therefor is great, and many more would be used if such awnings were more economical. Practically all of the difiiculties with prior awnings have contributed to make the 'prices of such installations very expensive, and beyond the means of the greater mass of the public. desirous-of having the salutary benefits therefrom. In'the first place 'such awnings have been complicated in structure, requiring expensive tools, dies and fixtures to manufacture and highly skilled labor to produce. Such awnings, because of their generally complex structure have always been pre-fabricated in the factory, or in the plant of the dealer, and then shipped or transported to the place of installation. Un-

usual tools and equipment wasnecessary for the assembly thereof, evenfrom prerfabricatedpartsprovided by the prime manufacturer, such that it was out of the question for the ultimate consumer to'pu-rchase and assemble the same. In many communities skilled laborrequired for assembly or installation was not available, and hence to such communities no awnings of the rigid type were-avail- Accordingly, it is a primary object of the invention to provide a rigid type awning in which are embodied certain features of construction hereinafter described which quickly tobe assembled by a relatively unskilled person to form the said awning construction; a related-object of the invention being the provision of such an awning construction which iscapable-of being shipped to the user in disassembled condition, the parts being contained in small, conveniently handled pac'kagesand capable of 1.

being assembled right on the job.- 1 a Another important object of the invention-is'to provide an awning construction of the character described which is adapted removably to be-monnted-to a structure but which mounting is rigid and-adequate-for providing-ere Another important object of the'invention is to provide a metal awning construction of the character described having a novel support bracket for securing said awning to the building by. a removable, pivotable connection permitting convenient installation, removal and maintenance of the awning, which bracket has means formed therewith providing concealment and protection of the connection between the building and the awning.

Another object of the invention is to provide a bracket for'an awning construction of the character described which will permit pivoting of the 'said awning to a position flat against the building for easy repair and maintainance.

The awning construction embodied in the invention is further characterized by its sturdy and durable construction, the ease and'simplicity of its construction and mode of assembly, the economy with which same may be manufactured, assembled and installed, and the ease with which same can be maintained.

The foregoing and other objects of the invention will become apparent as the description thereof proceeds, in connection with which a preferred embodiment of the invention has been shown in the accompanying drawings and more fully-described in the specification so as to enable the artisan skilled in the art to which same appertains fully to comprehend and practice the invention. Minor changes in the construction, size, proportion and arrangement of the parts of the invention may be had without departing from the spirit or circumventing the scope of the invention as set forth'in the appended claims. In the drawings, wherein like characters of reference are employed to designate the same or similar parts of the invention: r

- Fig; 1 is a perspective view of an awning construction embodying the invention, same being shown mounted on the exterior of building in shading relation to a window.

Fig. 2 is a bottom plan view of the said awning construction in assembled condition.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken through a portion of the awning construction along the line 3-3 of Fig. 2 and in the direction indicated.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken through the awning construction along the line 4-4 of Fig. 2 and in the direction indicated.

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken along the line 5-5 of Fig. 4 and in the direction indicated.

Fig. 6 is asectional view taken through the awning construction along the line 66"of Fig. 2 and in indicateddirection. j

Fig. is'a sectional view taken through a portion of the awning construction along the line 7-7 of Fig. 2 and in the indicated direction.

1 .FigsLS, 9 and lO-are-perspective views of the several panels which are asse'mbl'ed-to provide the said awning construction. 5 Figs.11,-12 and 13 are perspective views of the several support'members for supporting the awning construction in assembled condition.

' Fig. 14"is a diagrammatic view of the panels of the awning construction shown in ass'embled condition and Fig. 15 is a diagrammatic view similar to Fig. 14 and showing the manner in which the retainerbar is assembled thereto.

Fig. 16 is a diagrammatic view similar to Fig. 15 and showing the manner in which the retainer bar is secured in position.

Fig. 17 is an enlarged elevational view of the left hand end portion of the view shown in Fig. 16.

Fig. 18 is a sectional view taken through the novel 'bracket provided for securing the awning construction to bracket showing the manner in which said awning is mounted to a building.

Fig. 21 is an exploded perspective view of the inner end of the bracing bar of the awning construction and showing the manner in which same is secured to the building for bracing said awning.

Fig. 22 is a perspective view of the awning construction mounted to the building and showing the manner in which same may be collapsed against the building so that a ladder may be positioned against the side of the building for maintenance and repair of the structure.

It will be understood that theawning construction embodying the invention may be of any well-known form or design suitable for mounting to the particular part of the building for which same is desired. It may be of a form suitable either for overhanging a window, a doorway or a porch or the like. Thus, although the preferred embodiment of the invention hereinafter described and shown in the drawings is overhanging a window, it will be understood that the principles of the invention are equally suitable for providing an awning construction of the character described for other parts of a building. 7

The awning construction embodying the invention is designated generally by the reference character 30. As shown in Figs. 1 and 22, said awning may be mounted to a building 31 in position overhanging apart thereof, such as a window 32, same being secured to the frame 33 of the window, although same also may be secured directly to the'wall of the building. In Fig. 1, said awning is shown secured at its upper end to the frame 33 above the window and having a roof-like portion 34 which extends outwardly and downwardly from the building to overhang the window so as to protect same from the elements.

The roof portion 34 of the awning is assembled from a plurality of individually shaped panel members of' metal, preferably, aluminum. The panels are more specifically shown in Figs. 8, 9 and 10. All are elongate, integral members which may be formed by stamping same from sheet metal, by rolling same from strips, or by extrusion.

In Fig. 8, there is shown a side panel or slat 35 having an integrally bent flange 36 which forms a side skirt for the awning 30. As will be, noted in Fig. 4, this side skirt or flange 36 is on the underside of the roof portion 34 when the awning is assembled. On the opposite edge of the panel or slat 35 there is a second flange 38 which extends upwardly (in an opposite direction from the flange 36) but also inwardly, so as to form an' acute angle with the flat body portion 37 of the panel 35. The panel 35, and an identical panel with oppositely arranged flanges, form the bordering sideor edge panels of the roof portion 34, and hence the skirt portion 36 is'exposed. The otherwise raw or sharp edge 39 is bent or rolled upon itself to form a bead for strength and rigidity, and to present a more finished appearance.

rigidly support one another.

Prior to continuing with the description, it is desired to point out that no side structure of the awning 30 has been shown. In other words, the triangular space defined by the awning 30 and the bracing members (to be described) is shown open in the drawings. This is' to keep the explanation lucid and uncluttered. It is contemplated that side trim or panels will be used, but since.

same form no part of the invention, they are not illustrated. If desired, side covering members could be constructed in the same manner as the main roof portion, that is, of interlocking panels as will be described.

As viewed in Fig. 8, the lower end of the panel 35 is arranged to comprise the outer end thereof when assembled in the awning. As customary, the free end is intended to be arranged vertically, and hence there is an extension of the flat body 37 of the panel 35 which is bent at an obtuse angle relative to the. panel to form the front skirt portion 40, with a continuation of the flange 36 provided at 41 on the side thereof. This formation can be achieved simply by punching a notch in the flange 36, rounding the free end, if desired, and bending at the inner apex of the notch. A similar continuation of the flange 38 is provided on the portion 49 (not shown) with a discontinuation at'the bend.

The panel 42 shown in Fig. 9 may be termed a top panel. ing downwardly. The body of the channel is the flat plate portion 43, which has a right angle flange 44 along each side edge thereof, each of the flanges in turn having an inward right angle bend forming thereby another flange 45 on the end of each of the flanges 44. As will best be seen in Fig. 17, the cross sectional configuration of the panel 42 is somewhat box-like, but with the top open. Like the free end of the panel 35, panel 42 is provided with a front skirt portion 46 bent at an obtuse angle relative to the plate portion 43 of the panel, and provided with side flanges 47 which are continuations of the flanges 44. The bend is designated 59 in Fig. 9. There are provided tongues, 48 and 49 secured to the plate portion 43 and the skirt portion 46, respectively. These tongues are formed of sheet metal, fairly rigid but readily bendable by means of a pliers or the like, and are secured to the underside (with reference to the manner in which the awning finally will be disposed in installation) by any suitable means such as welding or the like. In the drawings, the tongues have been illustrated as attached by rivets 68, but any other suitable fastening means may be used. Such tongues have a purpose which will be described, but suffice it at this time to state, that when the panels have been fabricated andprior to being assembled to produce the awning, the

tongues extend at right angles to the portion of the panel to which same are secured.

In Fig. 10 there is illustrated a third type of panel 51 used in the structure of the invention which may be termed a bottom panel. portion 52 like the others, but, is provided along its side edges with upwardly bent flanges 53 arranged at acute angles with respect to the body 52. In other words, the panel 51 is similar to the panel 35, except that instead of having only one inwardly bent flange like 38, it has such flanges along both edges. A cross sectional view of the panel 51 is best seen in Fig. 5 and a fairly good perspective view being seen in Fig. 20. 'Like the other panels, there is provided an end skirt portion 54, provided with continuations of the flanges 53.

The entire roof portion 34 is made up only of these three types of panels, so arranged as to interlock and The panels are assembled as presently will be described, with a pair of oppositely formed panels 35 on the side edges of the roof portion 34, and with alternately arranged top and bottom panels having their side flanges interlocked and held in assembly. It is preferred that there be one more of the top panels than of the bottom panels to give a fuller and It is formed as a channel shaped member open- It has a planar or flat plate 7 more symmetrical appearance, but the structure may be formed in the opposite manner. In this case, the side panels 35 would have their inner edges provided with the type of flanges contained on the top panels 42.

The roof-like structure 34 shown in Fig. 1 is assembled by aligning the panels 35, 42 and 51 parallel one to the other as follows: Referring to Figs. 14, and 16, the side panels 35 are disposed to form the sides of the structure. A panel 42 is disposed alongside each panel 35 so that a flange 38 is adapted to be matingly engaged with one inwardly extending edge 45 of flange 44. Then panels 51 and 42 are alternately arranged so that the flanges 38 of panels 42 are adapted matingly to engage the outer edge 45 of an adjacent flange 44. This arrangement will be seen to dispose the plate portion 52 of panel 51 over the space 59 between panels 42. In this position, a tongue 48 will extend between the flanges 38 and beyond the upper surface of pane 51. With the various panel members arranged so that their respective flanges are adapted to be interlocked, the user (shown pictorially by means of the representation of the hands in Fig. 14) may grasp the flanges 36 of each side panel 35 and pull outwardly in the direction of the arrows 60 and 61 causing the panels 35, 52 and 51 to be slided laterally whereby to wedge flange 45 and 33 and flanges 45 and 53 into interlocking engagement one with the other. A tight, chatter-proof assembly of the panels is obtained. The same result is simultaneously obtained with the edge flange of skirts 40, 46 and 54 respectively.

Referring to Fig. 15, a retainer bar 62 is provided for locking the panels in position. Said bar 62 may comprise an angle iron in one leg 63 of which is provided a plurality of longitudinal slots 64 spaced along the length of the leg. I provide a number of slots 64 equal to the number of tongues 48. The bar 62 is forced between the flanges 36, 36 of panels 35 with a tongue 48 engaged in each slot 64. It may be necessary to force the bar 62 into position between flanges 36, whereby the panels may be additionally slid outwardly so that the rigid engagement of the flanges 38, 44 and 53 is increased as a result. Sliding movement of the bar 62 is permitted because of the elongate slots 64. With the bar 62 properly positioned, the tongues 48 are quickly bent over and upon the angle iron 62 as shown in Fig. 6 and the awning roof is assembled and locked in assembly. For permanence, bolts 65 may secure panels 35 to the bar 62, as shown in Fig. 16. It will be seen that this construction provides a wedging, mating engagement of the panels which maintains the structure rigid, free from noise rattling of the panels and most sturdy.

It is desired to point out that the simplicity of the invention is in inverse measure with the ease, speed and eflicacy with which the awning may be assembled. It is pointed out that there have been eliminated complicated bracing, expensive linkages, heavy and ditflcult to assemble spacers, and many of the problems which have attached to the structures heretofore devised. Through the assembly of the basic top and bottom panels, no skill need be required and no special tools or instructions needed for the ordinary householder to assemble an awning 30 having any desired width. It should be appreciated that the end skirts 40, 46 and 54 are not necessary since the awning can be formed without such skirts at a great saving. Under such circumstances, two of the lugs 48 may be provided on each of the panels 42, and two simple angle iron retaining bars 62 can be used. In the case where such skirt ends are provided, however, a variation of the construction may be used as described hereinafter.

Referring to Figs. 6 and 7, there is shown a retainer bar 70 which is similar to the bar 62 in construction, said bar 70 being mounted to engage the tongues 49 on the skirt 46 of panel 42. Thus, one leg 71 of said bar has elongate slots 72 spaced therealong in position to be aligned with tongues 49. The bar 70 is mounted in the same manner as bar 62, namely, with the tongues 49 engaged in slots 72, the outer ends of the tongues 49 being bent back on the leg 71 as at 73. The ends of the bar each have an opening 110 for receiving fastening devices similar to bolts 65 and nuts 66.

Referring to Fig. 2, the upper end of the roof-like structure 34 is provided with an elongate, tubular member 75 which is secured at said upper end by means of a bolt 76 passed through each opening 77 through the member 75. The threaded end 78 of said bolt is passed through a suitable opening 79 in each panel 35 and 51 and locked by a nut 80. It will be seen that the respective outer ends 81 of said tubular member 75 extend outwardly of the side panel 35 on each side of the roof 34 to enable the member 75 to be locked in pivotal position.

Referring to Figs. 18, 19 and 20 there are shown the means for mounting the awning construction to a building. There is provided a bracket designated generally 90. Same is of elongate formation and includes an upright wall 91 which may be positioned adjacent a casement 92 in face to face contact therewith. The lower edge of the said wall is curved to provide a trough 93 coextensive with the said wall 91 whereby to provide a bearing support in which the tube 75 may be received. The opposite edge of said wall 91 may be bent upon itself as at 94 to provide a slot for the accommodation of the upper edge of a cap 95 which overhangs the trough 93 in which the tube 75 is supported and the entire upper edge of the awning 30 thereby masking and shielding same from snow and rain, while presenting a neat appearance. The cap 95 is equal in length to the width of the awning 30.

The bracket 90 may be secured to the casement 96 by any well-known fastening devices, there being shown in Fig. 18 a masonry screw designated generally 97 inserted through the opening 98 in the easement and through cap end and bends 94 as shown in Fig. 20 with washers 99. As shown in Fig. 20, to mount the awning 30, after the bracket 90 is secured in position, the awning 30, in assembled condition, is lifted to deposit the tube 75 in the trough 93, with the portions 81 protruding beyond the side edges of the cap 95. The awning is then positioned for pivotal movement in the channel 93 and is easily removed therefrom by merely lifting same out of the said channel. In addition, there is provided a rotatable clamping member 100 which is secured to the wall 91 by means of the bolt 101 and nut 1152 in a well-known manner. The outer end of the member 100 is curved as at 103 and having a radius of curvature equal to that of the tube 75. Thus, after said tube 75 is positioned in the trough 93, the member 100 may be pivoted to position the curved portion 103 over the portion 31, clamping the tube 75 in the trough 93. The nut 102 may then be tightened to prevent rotation of member 100. It will be seen that the portion 103 and trough 93 form therebetween a socket for retaining therein the tube 75, but permitting the awning 30 to be pivoted about the axis of said socket.

In order to maintain the awning 30 in proper shading relationship to the window, in other words, at an angle relative to the wall of the building, we provide a pair of bracing members. One such member is shown in Figs. 4, 6 and 7. Same is designated by the character 105 and comprises an elongate, right angle bar having a leg 106 arranged in a vertical plane and a leg 107 arranged in a horizontal plane. At one end 108 of said leg 106 is a transverse slot 109 open downwardly. At the opposite end of the member 105, the end 112 of the leg 107 is pivotally secured to the horizontal leg 113 of bar 70 by means of the bolt 114 and nut 115. A washer 116 is sandwiched between the leg 113 and leg 107 properly positioning the bars 105 and 70. Referring to Fig. 13, it will be seen that both of the bracing members 105 may be pivoted to a position folding same onto the re- 7 tainer bar 70, whereby the bars 70 and 105 may be shipped as a unit, already assembled, in a small, easily handled package.

Referring to Fig. 21, in order to secure the bracing members there are provided angle members 120, one leg of each of which may be secured to the frame of the window by means of a screw 121 threaded through opening 122 into the frame. The other leg 123 extends outwardly perpendicular to the frame 33, and has a lug or pin 124 extending from the outer surface thereof. The lug 124 may be a bolt locked in place by means of the nut 1.25, or merely, an ear or rod welded or otherwise secured to leg 123. Such a member 120 may be provided on each side of the window 32. Referring to Fig. 1, with the awning hung in the trough 93, same may be raised up wardly into position for shading said window 32 and the bracing bars 195 each pivoted outwardly of the retainer bar '70 so as to position a lug 124 in each slot 109 so that leg 107 will overhang the member 120 and hide the same. A nut 126 may then be fastened on the lug 124 for preventing the bracing bar 105 from being inadvertently removed.

Referring to Fig. 22, it will be seen that if it is desired to repair or maintain the awning 30, same may be collapsed against the building merely by removing the braces 1tl5'frorn members 120 so that the said awning may be pivoted downwardly against the building 31. In this position, a ladder 130 may easily and readily be stood against the said building to permit painting, repair, etc. of the building or the awning without necessitating removal of the awning from its installation on the building.

It will be appreciated that the awning construction hereinabove described is specially suited for being shipped to the user in unassembled condition so that only small, conveniently handled packages are required. For instance, the panels and retainer bars are easily packaged and shipped. The retainer bar 70 and the bracing bars 165 may be shipped in already assembled condition. The bracket 90 is shipped as a unit, ready for mounting to the building. Further, the panels are easily assembled without the use of screws, bolts or other well known fastening devices and without requiring any special skill on the part of the purchaser of the awning. The entire awning in knocked-down condition may be packaged in a single box of small'dimensions for easy shipment.

It is believed that the invention and the manner in which same may be practiced will be fully understood from the above without further description. It will be seen that there has been disclosed a novel awning construction capable of accomplishing the objects hereinabove set forth and those other objects which will become apparent from the disclosure. Although a preferred embodiment of the invention has been shown and described in accordance with the Patent Laws, it is not intended that the scope of the invention not be limited except as set forth in the appended claims.

We claim:

1. An awning which comprises an assemblage of elongate panels arranged in parallel engagement one alongside the other, said panels comprising top members of downwardly opening channel formation and bottom members of upwardly opening channel members, said members each providing a pair of side legs and a connecting web, the side legs of each top member having inwardly extending edge flanges, the side legs of each bottom member terminating in inwardly directed edge flanges, said members being overlapped in alternate sequence with the edge flanges of adjacent panels wedgingly engaged to lock the panels against free lateral separation. of their adjacent edge flanges, and means force fitted between the outer panels of the assemblage and preventing lateral separation of the said edge flanges comprising an elongate, rigid bar secured transversely between said-outer panels maintaining the assemblage under a strain condition such that upon removal of the said bar, the panels are freely movable laterally to permit lateral separation of the engaged edge flanges.

2. An awning as described in claim 1 in which at least one of said panels has a deformable tongue member extending from the connecting web thereof, and said bar has a slot aligned to receive said tongue for retaining said bar in position between said outer panels.

3. An awning as described in claim 1 in which said top members and the rigid bar having cooperating tongue and slot fastening means for maintaining the bar in position between the panels.

References Cited in th fil f thi Pa n 7 UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,956,850 Bishop et al. May 1, '1934 2,539,705 Simonton Jan. 30, 1951 2,588,011 Kersey Mar. 4, 1952 2,611,935 Kramer et a1 Sept. 30, 1952 2,614,300 Stinnett Oct. 21, 1952 7 2,627,634 Gunter Feb. 10, 1953 r 2,632,213 Manley et al. Mar. 24, 1953 r -1 w, Y 

